There are many reasons why people who are retired decide to return to work. More than half of American workers have no pension or other retirement plan through their jobs or their pension plan is inadequate. Due to the rising cost of living, many retirees look for a job to supplement their retirement income.

Many times people want to use their skills and experience to help others. In fact, the report estimates that between 5 and 8 million Americans are already involved in an “encore career” -- meaningful work that combines earning an income with making a contribution to society.

Other retirees return to the workforce because they don’t like being “idle” in retirement.

For retirees, there are a host of activities with which to become involved. Returning to the job market may require some job re-training, but retirees have proven to be better motivated and more conscientious workers due to a lifetime of working experience. These are positive traits which most employers seek in their workforce.

Whatever the reason retirees may have for returning to the workforce, there is help available to help them touch up their resume, get job training in a new career, and/or find a job.

The Senior Employment & Job Assistance program helps adults age 55 and older find jobs. A special effort is made to train job seekers for jobs that directly benefit other older people.

1. Employment & Job Training
2. Employment Resource Program -- 1.800.447.4221
3. Illinois Employment Security website has a tool which automatically selects and matches the best qualified job seekers with the most suitable employers.
4. Senior Employment Assistance
5. Website for Social Security & Older Workers with Disabilities
6. Check our Resource Guide on Aging to find agencies, by county, which provide other services.

Staff of the Egyptian AAA respond to requests from older persons for information and make referrals including employment assistance, job training, job listing, and develop volunteer opportunities for older adults especially with agencies which serve younger generations.

For retirees, there are a host of activities with which to become involved. Returning to the job market in a part-time position may require some job retraining but retirees have proven to better motivated and more conscientious workers due to a lifetime of working experience. These are positive traits which most employers seek in their workforce.

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